Symptoms

The symptoms of dengue typically begin from 4 to 10 days after infection and last for 2-7 days.2.

Dengue can also carry long-term health complications such as fatigue, weight loss and depression after the recovery phase.7

Mild Dengu

Mild Dengue

Most infected people have mild or no symptoms4.

Mild dengue symptoms can be confused with other illnesses that cause fever, aches and pains, or a rash8.

Dengue should be suspected when a high fever is accompanied by at least 2 of the following symptoms9:

  • severe headache
  • pain behind the eyes
  • muscle and joint pains
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • swollen glands
  • rash

Rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Contact your doctor2.

Severe Dengu

Severe Dengue

Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital2.

The warning signs of severe dengue typically appear within 24-48 hours after the fever has gone away8. In severe cases, dengue can be fatal2.

Warning signs that doctors should watch out as it could lead to severe dengue are9:

  • severe abdominal pain
  • persistent vomiting
  • rapid breathing
  • bleeding gums
  • fatigue
  • restlessness
  • vomiting blood

When severe dengue is suspected, the person should be rushed to the emergency room or to the closest health care provider.9

Sources

  1. Bouri, N. et al. Return of epidemic dengue in the United States: implications for the public health practitioner. Public Health Rep. Wash. DC 1974 127, 259–266 (2012).
  2. WHO. Dengue and severe dengue (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  3. Bhatia, S. et al. A Retrospective Study of Climate Change Affecting Dengue: Evidences, Challenges and Future Directions. Front. Public Health 10, (2022).
  4. Chawla, P., Yadav, A. & Chawla, V. Clinical implications and treatment of dengue. Asian Pac. J. Trop. Med. 7, 169–178 (2014).
  5. CDC. Dengue: Clinical presentation (https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/healthcare-providers/clinical-presentation.html - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  6. Epicentro. Febbre dengue (https://www.epicentro.iss.it/febbre-dengue/aggiornamenti - ultimo accesso giugno 2022).
  7. Tiga, D. C. et al. Persistent Symptoms of Dengue: Estimates of the Incremental Disease and Economic Burden in Mexico. Am. J.Trop. Med. Hyg. 94, 1085–1089 (2016).
  8. CDC. Dengue: Symptoms and Treatment (https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/symptoms/index.html - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  9. WHO. What are the symptoms of dengue fever and severe dengue? (https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/dengue-and-severe-dengue - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  10. CDC. Dengue: Prevent Mosquito Bites (https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html# - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  11. CDC. Mosquito Bite Symptoms and Treatment (https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/symptoms.html - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  12. MedlinePlus. Dengue Fever Test (https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/dengue-fever-test/ - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  13. CDC. Your child or family member may have dengue fever according to their clinical history and physical examination (https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/resources/cs_205910-a.dengue-patient-ed-eng.final.pdf - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  14. Wilder-Smith, A. Dengue infections in travellers. Paediatr. Int. Child Health 32, 28–32 (2012).
  15. ECDC. Autochthonous vectorial transmission of dengue virus inmainland EU/EEA, 2010-present (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/all-topics-z/dengue/surveillance-and-disease-data/autochthonous-transmission-dengue-virus-eueea - ultimo accesso giugno 2023).
  16. Stanaway JD et al. The global burden of dengue: an analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet Infect Dis 2016; 16: 712–23.